Page 24 - February 2016

Tributes to officers from the CPD Officer, Lodge 7 member and renowned artist
Even in a blinding snowstorm, John Scalise is dedicated about showing up for his shift at the FOP gift shop at Lodge 7 headquarters. But dedication seems to be what Scalise is about – he spent 41 years with the CPD, 31 on the street and the last 10 as a homicide detective.
“I can’t think of any other job I would’ve rather done – doctor, lawyer, astronaut,” he reported. “It was tailor-made for me. I liked stopping the bad guys.”
Scalise joined the department at age 21, initially working plain- clothes in narcotics and gang details. “I was out there trying to stir up trouble.” He moved around a lot.
That changed when he advanced to the rank of detective, and he spent the last decade of his tenure with homicide.
“I loved being a detective and when I got promoted I said to myself, ‘I should’ve done this a long time ago,’” he said with a laugh.
He enjoyed offering theories and comments about the cases he was working, though people seeking his opinion seemed novel at first.
“Once I got promoted people would ask, ‘What do you think, detec- tive?’ I liked hearing that.”
Working at the gift shop “puts me back in the loop” after mandatory retirement came in 2009 at age 63.
Scalise is content dividing his time between the gift shop and golfing, but if he’s forced to make a choice between them when the weather improves, “I might have to give them (the FOP) the pink slip,” he joked.
The police connection keeps him working at the shop two days a week, but truth be told, “I’d go back as a detective in a minute, and I’d do it for less money,” he proclaimed. “I worked there 41 years; I had a ball. And I’d do it all over again.” d
Portraits by Peter Bucks
John Scalise Star 21207
24 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ MARCH 2016
‘THE DAFFODIL PRINCIPAL’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 24
today?”
We ALL have our challenges, trials and tribulations, but the
question is, how can we go forward and make a difference? So, stop waiting ... until your car or home is paid off or until
you get a new car or home;
until your kids leave the house;
until you go back to school or until you finish school; until you lose 10 pounds or until you gain 10 pounds; until you get married or until you get a divorce;
until you have kids or until you retire;
until summer, until spring, until winter, until fall ... until
you die.
There is no better time than right now to be happy. Happi-
ness is a journey, not a destination. So, as they say, work as if you don’t need the money, love as if you have never been hurt, dance as if no one is watching, sing as if no one is listening, and live like it’s heaven on earth!
Thanks for going out there every day and doing G-d’s work; it’s holy and noble. Our City is most grateful and appreciative to each of you for your dedication and devotion and we couldn’t survive without you.
On behalf of all your chaplains, may G-d bless you, keep you safe and always keep you in His loving care. We are grateful for all you do. Should you need an ear to listen or shoulder to lean on, don’t hesitate to give us a call.d
Rabbi Moshe Wolf can be reached at 773-463-4780 or at moshe- wolf@hotmail.com.